Automatic set-back counter



M. L. JEFFREY AUTOMATIC SET-BACK COUNTER Filed June 17, 1942 2Sheets-Sheet 1 m WW I ML M M P 1943- M. 1.. JEFFREY ,665

AUTOMATIC SET-BACK COUNTER Filed June 17, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

MAX. LJEFFREY Patented Apr. 27, 1948 UMTEB STATES PATENT OFFICEAUTOMATIC SET-BACK COUNTER Max L. Jeffrey, Shaker Heights, Ohio,assignor to The National Acme Company, Cleveland, Ohio,

corporation of Ohio Application June 1'7, 1942, Serial No. 447,460

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in counting mechanisms and moreparticularly to means for setting back a counter. The invention isparticularly related to counting devices wherein counterwheels areprovided which are actuated to successively register a certain numbermovements of a mechanism. So far as the counter wheels and theirsupporting shaft is concerned they constitute an improvement over myPatent No. 2,035,891 of March 31, 1936. One of the counter wheelsregisters units from to 9 and upon each complete revolution movement istransmitted from this counter wheel to the next counter wheel which ismoved one digit to thus register tens. In case four counters are in aunit, that unit would be capable of registering from 0 to 9,999. Morethan one set of counters may be supported on a single shaft. Thesecounters are operated by a lever and ratchet mechanism which in turn isoperated by a solenoid. In the present invention there are illustratedby way of example two sets of counters disposed in a single shaft eachof the sets being actuated by independent solenoids.

Prior to my invention various means were used to reset these countersand in my prior patent this means comprised a shaft which was slidlongitudinally and then turned to rearrange the counter wheels to causethem to be reset to zero. In some instances the shaft was moved by akey.

Key setting of the counters is time consuming and in some instances thecounters were overset so that when the device was supposed to be resetto 0000 it read 1111 and 2222 instead, depending upon the degree towhich it was overset. Of course, in case they are overset they could beturned further until zero is again reached but this is time consumingand often this condition went unnoticed. Furthermore, these priorcounters required a rather complicated manual operation in setting thesame and this necessitated placing the counter in a place where it wasaccessible to enable the operation to be performed.

By my present invention I have provided a counter which can be reset tozero by a. simple turning movement of the counter supporting shaft.Furthermore, I have provided means whereby the counter can be resetelectrically and automatically from a remote point. In carrying out theresetting, all that is required of the operator is that he close thereset circuit for an instant after which the resetting takes placequickly and automatically. This operation also may be accomplishedautomatically or in con junction with some other operation if sodesired.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a reset for acounter wherein a limited movement of the counter supporting shaftresets the counter.

Another object of my invention is to eliminate the manual resetting ofthe counter.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic reset for acounter.

Another object of the invention is to provide a counter which may bereset without touching the counter.

Another object of my invention is to provide a counter which may bedisposed in places such that ordinary manual resetting thereof wouldbeimpractical.

Still other objects of the invention and the invention itself willbecome more apparent from the following description of an embodimentthereof which description is illustrated by the accompanying drawingsand forms a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a counter embodying my inventionwith certain parts broken away and others shown in section;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view, shown partly in section of thecounter and shaft assem- 1013';

Fig. 3 is an enlarged rear elevation of the upper rear portion of thedevice of my invention, certain parts being broken away to show thestructure in back thereof;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the lines 4-4 ofFigs. 1 and 2 and looking in the direction of the arrow;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 taken from lines 5-5 of Figs. 1 and2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective of a portion of a counter wheel andpinion gear, being taken on the lines 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged elevational view of the counter wheel supportingshaft;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section of the upper portion of the device takenalong the lines 8-8 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of thearrows;

Fig. 9 is a similar view to that of Fig. 8 taken from the lines 9-9 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 9a is a view of a ratchet lever and ratchet removed from thestructure of Fig. 9 to better show their relative positions;

Fig. 10 is a section taken on the lines Iii-H] of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 11 is a schematic view of the electric circuit and parts used toeffect resetting of the counters illustrating the position of the partsduring a resetting operation.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like parts have been designated bylike reference characters, and more particularly to Fig. 1.

A frame is provided for supporting the mechanism and comprises a pair ofside members I and 2 held in spaced parallel relation to each other bycross bars such as 3 and 4 which are secured to the frame by screws Thecounter mechanism is disposed adjacent the top between the two sidemembers, being supported on a shaft 6 rotatably journalled in the sidemembers. In the particu- V lar embodiment shown there are shown twoseparate and independently operated sets of counters. The number of setsof counters is, however, a matter of choice since the invention isapplicable to one or more such sets. The sets of counters are operatedby solenoids, there being two solenoids, one for each set of counters.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 9, the solenoid includes the winding 8 andthe movable plunger or armature 9 which is attracted down into thesolenoid in the usual manner. Each armature has pivotally securedthereto an upwardly extending rod Iii which carries a hook shaped end Hadapted for engagement with the teeth ll! of the counter ratchet it. Aspring 7 is provided for moving the rod it toward the ratchet wheel, thespring being of generally helical form and having one end surrounding alug 42 on the rod it and the other end seated in a recess in a crossmember 59 which cross member extends between and is supported by theside members I and 2; Each downward stroke of the solenoid causes theratchet to be moved one tooth or notch and carries with it the firstcounter disk.

The counter mechanism is somewhat similar to that previously describedin the aforementioned patent.

The hook H is arranged to engage the teeth l2 on a ratchet wheel I 3which is rotatably journalled on the shaft 6. This occurs when thearmature 9 is pulled downward by energization of the solenoid 8.Over-travel of the ratchet wheel is prevented by the pawl 16 (Fig. 9)which is journalled on a shaft ll and has'the one end in engagement withthe teeth of the wheel. The pawl is of a generally bell crank shape andis held in engagement with the teeth by a tension spring I8 secured tothe pawl at Zil; the other end of the spring is secured to the frame at15.

The ratchet wheel l3 has connected thereto by rivets a counter drivewheel M (Fig. 2). This like the ratchet wheel is also rotatablyjournalled on the shaft 3 and is provided with an outwardly extendingflange indicated at 22 which extends under a counter ring 2! carried bythe first couner wheel 23. The wheel H5 is relieved from the flange Z2inward toward the hub. The inner surface of the flange 22 is providedwith alternate teeth and notches of the same formation as shown at 50and 5| for the ring member 48 of Fig. 4.

The first counter wheel 23 is provided with a hub 24 which is alsorotatably journalled on the shaft 6. This hub is cut away at one pointin a manner similar to thehub 44 in Fig. 4 to enable a pawl about to bedescribed to engage in the notch or groove 2t which runs longitudinallyin the shaft 6. The face of the counter wheel 2-3 facing the wheel it isprovided with a pair of pins 27 and 23 upon which are disposed pawls 29and 3% respectively. The pawl 29 is designed for engagement with theteeth and notches inside of the drive wheel I l and the pawl 36 foralternate engagement with the groove 26 in the shaft 6 and the teeth andnotches in the drive wheel. A spring 3! engages the pawl 29 urging itoutward into engagement with the teeth and the notches 505l. The otherend Of the spring engages the pawl Ell moving it about the pivot 28inward toward the groove 5. When this cut-away portion in the hub alignswith the groove 6, the pawl drops into engagement with the groove.Driving power for the counter wheel is effected by frictional engagementof the teeth and notches 5055 of the wheel I 4 on the pawl 29.

t should also be noted at this point that, assuming that the relation ofthe pawls, counter wheel and shaft as shown in Fig. 4 is such that thecounter is set at zero, that the first movement of the driving wheel itcauses the first counter wheel 23 to be moved relative to the shaft 6,which shaft is at this time standing still. This movement causes thepawl 33 to also be moved relative to the shaft 6 and it is, therefore,raised completely and quickly out of engagement with the groovev 25, thepoint 32 of the pawl riding on the periphery of the shaft. This causesthe portion 33 of the pawl 30 to enter into locking engagement with oneof the notches 59 and thus cause the driving wheel Hi to be locked inpositive driving engagement to the counter wheel 23.

The counter wheel 23, which as previously stated carried the counterring 2i, which ring is seated on the shoulder 34, is provided with anenlarged diameter 35 extending up alongside the counter ring andterminating short of the periphery of the ring. This enlarged diameteras best shown in Figs. 5 andfi is substantially smooth and circular onits periphery except for a notch 36 which is shown as a square notch,although it need not be square, indicated in dotted lines and whichextends inwardly toward the hub. This as will later more clearly appear,provides a space for the tooth of a pinion gear to enter allowing thepinion to operate the next succeeding counter wheel. Also carried by thecounter wheel is a disk 3'! of a smaller diameter than 35 secured to thewheel by rivets and which disk is substantially plain except for a pairof teeth 38 which extend from the periphery with the space between theteeth in alignment with the notch 35.

Movement from the first'counter wheel assembly comprising the parts 37,35 and 2! is transmitted to the next counter wheel once each completerevolution, by a pinion 4i). There will be three such pinions for eachof the sets of counters as best shown in Fig. 3. These pinions arejournalled on a shaft il which extends between the frame members I and2. Each pinion comprises a composite gear, one portion of which has tenteeth and the other portion five teeth with the alternate teeth of theten-tooth part being in alignment with the five teeth of the five-toothpart or stated in other words the pinion is a tentooth gear withone-half of each alternate tooth out from the center of the gear to theside. The pinion is positioned adjacent to the counter wheel as bestillustrated in Figs. 3 to 6, so that the fivetooth portion of the pinionhas two teeth riding'on' accuses tooth part of the pinion at which timethe pinion is moved and the five-tooth part may rotate onefifth of arevolution since one of the teeth of the five-tooth part may then enterinto the notch 36 in the part 35 of enlarged diameter. This movement ofthe pinion is transferred to the next succeeding counter wheel, theten-tooth portion of the pinion being in mesh with the teeth 49 of thelocking ring 48 as will hereinafter more clearly appear.

The next succeeding wheel, which in this case would be the tens wheel,comprises the wheel body 43 which is provided with a hub 44 rotatablyjournalled on the shaft 6 in the same man ner as the hub 24 of the wheel23. This Wheel also carries the member ring 45 the ring having a pressfit onto a shoulder formed adjacent the periphery of the wheel andextending towards the first wheel to provide a flange. There is alsoriveted to the face of this wheel facing away from the first counterwheel a disk 46 and having exactly the same conformation as the disk 31,previously described. The periphery of the wheel at 41 adjacentthemember is formed the same and provides precisely the same function asthat of the part 35 in the preceding wheel.

The inner surface of the indicia ring 45 is smooth and provides abearing for a locking ring 48. This ring has a flange which extendsinside of the indicia ring and as stated has a bearing therein and mayrotate relative to the indicia ring this being the sole support for thering 48. The exterior of the ring 48 is provided with teeth 49 whichextend up beside the indicia ring. These teeth are adapted to be in meshwith the tentoothed portion of the pinion 4B. The inner surface of thisring 48 is provided with alternate teeth and notches 50 and El. Thewheel 43 has secured to the face of it and facing toward the firstcounter wheel and inside of the ring 48, pawls 29 and 38 which areexactly the same as the pawls described for the first wheel and whichare clearly shown in Fig. 4.

As previously described when the pinion is moved one-fifth of arevolution by the movement of the first wheel the two teeth 38 engagingwith the ten-tooth part of the pinion and the notch 38 allowing one ofthe teeth of the fivetooth part to enter the disk 35 of enlargeddiameter; the ten-tooth part also being in mesh with the teeth 49 of thering 48 causes the ring 48 to be moved moving the wheel 43 by theengagement of the teeth and notches 58-5l with the pawl 29. This firstpart of the movement is frictional but as soon as the movement startswith the pawl 29 the pawl 30 is moved out of the roove 26 and the part33 is then forced into engagement in one of the notches 5! locking thering and wheel securely together. The first counter wheel has now movedso that the teeth 38 are beyond the ten-tooth part of the pinion and thefivetooth part is'again in engagement with the enlarged diameter of thedisk 35 thus the pinion can no longer move.

It will thus be seen that the digit or first counter wheel 23 movescontinuously with the ratchet wheel I3 and that once each revolution thesecond or tenths wheel 43 is moved one-tenth of a revolution, the firstwheel registering units and the second wheel tens. The movement from thesecond wheel is transmitted to the third wheel in exactly the samemanner upon a complete revolution of the tens wheel and eventually thefourth wheel is likewise moved in the same manner.

6 It should be particularly noted that the wheels automatically becomelocked as described, by the camming action of the shaft 8 against thepawls 30 which shoves the pawls outward into the notches in the rings48. This as distinguished from my prior patent where the locking had tobe accomplished manually by turning the shaft and pulling it outwardly.

It will also be seen that as long as the counter wheels carrying pawls29 and 30 are rotated so that the pawl 38 is out of the notch 25 of theshaft 6 that the gear ring 48 is locked to thewheel, and this lockingoccurs with a movement of one-tenth of a revolution of the counterwheel.

A means is provided pennitting resetting of the counters to zero with aminimum of movement and time which resetting is accomplished by rotatingthe shaft 6 one revolution. The rotation of the shaft to reset thecounters to zero is effected by rotating it in the same direction as thecounter wheels move when the counting operation is taking place that iscounterclockwise as shown in Fig. 4. As previously mentioned when thepawl 30 moves out of the notch 26 it rides up on to the smooth peripheryof the shaft 6. It will be appreciated that the pawls in this figurewill have moved counterclockwise from the position shown in Fig. 4together with the wheel and will be some place with the point 32 of thepawl 30 resting on the periphery of the shaft 6. Therefore, as soon asthe shaft 6 is moved in a counterclockwise direction it finally allowsthis pawl 30 to drop into the groove 26, the point 32 being ofcomplementary shape to that of the groove thus removing the part 33 ofthe pawl from looking engagement with the teeth and notches 58-5l. This,with the exception of the first or units wheel, which is unlocked fromthe ratchet wheel, causes the ring gears 48 to be unlocked from thewheel bodies 43 which carries the pawls allowing relative movementtherebetween. Further movement of the shaft 6 is transmitted from theshaft through the pawls 30 to the wheel 43. Further, the tension on thespring 3| is decreased on the pawl 29 and the ring gear and the endportion of the pawl can ratchet in and out of the internal teeth Ell-5|of the ring gear 48.

This operation can best be understood if it be assumed that the counterwheels have been operated until they read 1,234. In this case the 1pawl, this being the one on the left of the cross sectioned group inFig. 2, would be in the first notch counterclockwise to the positionshown in Fig. 4. The 2 pawl would be in the next notch, the 3 pawl inthe one notch further along in side of the ring gear and the 4 pawl fournotches removed from the first pawl. These pawls would thus be No. 1closest to the notch, 2, 3 and 4 progressively further away from thenotch; since the shaft is being turned counterclockwise the groove 26would first release the 1 pawl, the 1 number wheel would be moved by theshaft 6 the notch 26 being engaged with the pawl 38 and the ring gearwould be unlocked by being held by the ten-tooth part of the pinion 48which is also in looking engagement with the preceding 2 wheel assemblywhich parts are locked together. The ring gear would stand still and thewheel with the indicia would move together with the shaft. As soon asthe shaft groove '26 becomes aligned with the 2 pawl this would alsodrop into the shaft groove releasing that ring gear from the wheel. Atthis point the 1 wheel has been moved so that the 2 mark of the 1 wheelis aligned with the "2 of the 2 wheel.

The 2 wheel becomes unlocked from the 3 wheel in the same manner and the1 and 2 wheels move together until the 3 wheel is picked up and finallythe l wheel at which time all the wheels would be in alignment. In thiscase when the four notches all become aligned after which all of thewheels are moved together the ratchet l i freely moving on the drivingratchet teeth l2 and remaining together for the further turning movementof the shaft. The shaft obviously is turned until the zero comes back tothe proper point to set the device to zero. In the case of handoperation, this may be effected by an extension of the shaft 6 beyondthe confines of the case or by a key. It could be inserted through thecase into turning engagement with the shaft 6.

In the present embodiment illustrated, automatic means is provided forrotating the shaft 6 and accomplishing this resetting. Briefly itcomprises a motor driven ratchet which rotates the shaft 6. The shaft isprovided with a cam which operates a circuit breaker inserted in themotor circuit so that when the shaft has returned the number wheels backto the predetermined zero point, the motor circuit is interrupted todeenergize the motor. An additional feature that it is well to mentionat this point consists in the providing of means for disconnecting theratchet from the shaft when the cam reaches this predetermined point toprevent the momentum of the motor from causing the shaft to be rotatedbeyond the zero points.

As best shown in Fig. 1, a motor 55 is provided suspended from thebottom of the frame. The motor shaft 56 extends outboard from the motorand carries thereon an eccentric member 5?. A ratchet rod 553 isrotatably journalled on the cocentric member and held in position by abushing 59, the bushing, eccentric and motor shaft all being pinnedtogether by a taper pin (it. Obviously, rotation of the shaft will causethe rod 58 to be moved up and down. The countershaft 6 has pinnedthereto at its left end as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, a ratchet gear 6i bya taper pin 62 extending through the hub of the gear and the shaft 5.The ratchet rod 58 extends upward through the frame opposite the gear(SI and is provided on its end with a hooked portion tt'arranged forengagement with the teeth as of the ratchet (Fig. 8'). The ratchet rodis arranged to be moved into operative engagement with the teeth uponenergization of the motor 55 through the combined movement of a spring65 and a solenoid 82. The spring 65 is of tapered helical formationhaving one end surrounding a lug 66 on the ratchet rod and the other endseated in a socket El on a bracket 68 which bracket is carried by thecross member 59 that extends between and is supported by the sidemembers i and 2.

The ratchet rod is therefore arranged to rotate the gear iii and theshaft 5 in a counterclockwise direction reverse movement of the shaftand gear being prevented by a dog '52 on the opposite side of the gearwhich dog is pivoted on the shaft il and has an end it? for engagementwith the teeth of the ratchet and held in engagement therewith by aspring i i secured to the other end of the dog and hooked into the frameat E5 in much the same manner as described for the dog I6 and spring Itin connection with the counter actuating solenoid ratchets.

It should be noted that the pawl isii not only positively preventsreverse movement of the shaft ii, but also frictionally resists forwardmovement since the torque applied to the shaft must be sufiicient torotate the ratchetwheel Bl and-raise the pawl. This raising movement isresisted. by

the spring 14. The frictional engagement of the pawl 13 against theteeth is suificient. to hold the shaft in a predetermined position.

As previously stated solenoid operated means against the pressure of thespring 65 away'from.

the ratchet wheel when the circuit is de-ener gized. Specifically, itincludesv a block 16 :-of;a' generally triangular shape being pivotallysupe ported at one corner on the shaft 4|. At, thelower end of thisblock, journalled on a. pin 1:1; .is' a roller 58. This rollerrides'againstthe edge :of-

the ratchet rod 58 facing toward thearatcheti wheel. The other corner'oftheblockhas secured:

to it the upper end of a link 79, the lower end'or which is connected atto thearmatureBi of. a solenoid 82. When the block 'lfiis'rotatedxaboutits pivot roller 18 pushes against'the edge'of. the;

rod 58 forcing it against the pressureof the-spring;

away from the wheel 6! Thisisaccomplished normally when the solenoid isde-energized by. a spring 853 which engages an outwardly extending.

lug 85 on the link 19 and which has the other end supported by a bracket86 carried bythe crossmember 81. Pins 88 in the lug and bracket are:

provided about which the ends'of' the spring, sets to hold the same inposition. Itwillthllsbe seen that when the solenoid is de-energized thelink" 79 is pushed upward by the spring: M carrying with it the block 76forcing the roller 78; against the arm 58 as previously mentioned.Whenthesolenoid 82 is energized, the armaturetl' pulls:

down the link 79 compressing the spring:84'rotat-. ing the block 76 in acounterclockwise direction and withdrawing theroller 18:from the edge ofThe spring 65 pushes the rod and:

the rod 58. hook 63 over into engagement with the ratchet wheel.

As previously mentioned the engagement of the ratchet rod with theratchet wheel is effected by energization of the solenoid 82.Disengagement is effected by de-energizing the solenoid 82 and this isaccomplished by means of a cam 96 keyed on the shaft 6 to the rightasbest shown inFi'gs. 1 and 9. This cam comprisesa substantially cir.

cular member having a shallow groove 9 I extend-- Cooperating with thecam. is a, pawl member 92 rotatably. journalledonthe.

ing across the surface.

shaft 4! and provided with a downwardly extending arm 93 which extendsopposite to the'cross member 81 and which is provided with a recess. endof the spring:

95 serving as a socket for the 95, the other end of which 96 in the arm93.

The pawl member is also provided with a pro.- jection or finger '97 onits upper part having a is seated. over. alpin cam engaging face eswhich allows the" cam. $0.

to be rotated and the edgerof the-groove 91 to hit the surface 98 andmove thepawl 92 aboutits':

pivot ll. The pawl is provided at I with laterally extending ledge towhich is riveted. a relatively stiff leaf spring It! by rivets Hi2 eX'-tending through the spring and ledge-.1 A set screw and lock nut 13 andIM are threaded through the ledge and engage the spring and pros vide ameans of adjustment therefor to adjust.

the same angularly relative to thepawl. The

cross member 69 extending between the, frame sides I and 2 also carriesa bracket I65 on which is mounted a micro-switch, the operation pin I01of which extends adjacent to the spring I6 I.

The operational characteristics of this switch are too well-known and itshould sufiice to say that the switch will make or break a circuit aswill more fully hereinafter appear so that when the movement of the camcounterclockwise moves the pawl 92 the switch closes the circuit andholds the circuit closed until rotation of the cam allows the pawlfinger 91 to drop back into the groove 9 l.

Operation of the circuit, motor and the parts can best be seen from Fig.11. A motor energization circuit is provided from a source the leadsbeing shown at H6. It may be alternating or direct current. The motor 55and solenoid 82 are connected in parallel. One lead goes directly to themotor 55 and to the solenoid 82. The other lead to the motor andsolenoid is broken at H! and the micro-switch I66 is connected acrossthis break. Also connected across the break parallel with themicro-switch is a manually operated push button switch H2.

It being assumed that it is desired to reset the counter through therotation of the shaft 6 which has previously been described, theoperator closes the circuit by actuating the push button I I2 causingthe motor solenoid to be energized. At this time the contacts of themicro-switch I06 are open but as soon as the contacts H2 are closed themotor starts moving, the cam moves the pawl 92 to close the contacts I06of the micro-switch which are in parallel relation with the push buttonswitch I 12. The push button switch obviously only needs to be closedfor an instant. Simultaneously with the energization of the motor thesolenoid 82 operates, pulls down the link 19 and moves the block 16 withthe roller 18 away from the link 58 allowing the spring 65 to push theratchet rod 58 over so that the end 63 is in operative relation with theratchet wheel 6!. Since the motor is now running and the rod 58 movingup and down the shaft 6 will be rotated through the ratchet wheel 6! aspreviously described and the counters reset. If the button H2 ismaintained closed the movement will continue indefinitely. However, assoon as the button H2 is released the micro-switch I06 takes charge ofthe circuit and maintains 'the circuit closed until the groove 9| of thecam 96 allows the projection 91 on the pawl 92 to enter into the grooveat which time the spring 95 rotates the pawl causing the pressure on theplunger I61 of the microswitch to be released which opens the circuitshutting ofl the motor and de-energizing the solenoid. The spring 84moves the link Idupward and causes the roller 18 to engage the rod 58disconnecting the ratchet hook 63 from the ratchet. The motor can nowcoast to a stop without further operation of the ratchet. The counter isnow set to zero.

It will thus be seen that I have improved the simplified ratchetmechanism which is considerably more economical in construction than theprior devices and that a single revolution of the counter supportingshaft serves to completely reset the same to zero. Also, it will be seenthat with the automatic reset mechanism it may be quickly and accuratelyreset to zero without any manual operations to close the switch H2.

Having thus described my invention I am aware that numerous andextensive departures may be made therefrom without departing from thescope or spirit thereof.

I claim:

1. In combination with a counter having a shaft for resetting the same,an apparatus for rotating said shaft comprising a ratchet wheel securedto the shaft, means cooperating with said wheel to turn the sameincluding a reciprocable member having a tooth engaging portion forengaging teeth on said wheel, means for moving said member into and outof operative engagement with said wheel including spring means connectedto the member and moving it toward the wheel and means to move saidmember against the pressure of said spring means away from said wheeland including a lever pivoted on a support spaced from said member, anabutment carried by said lever and engageable with said member and meansto move said lever to cause the abutment to push said member against thepressure of said spring away from said ratchet wheel comprising a linkconnected to said lever and a spring connected to a fixed support andurging said link to move said lever with said abutment against saidmember, and means to overcome the effect of said last mentioned springand cause said first spring to move said member against said ratchetwheel.

2. In combination with a counter having a shaft for resetting the same,an apparatus for rotating said shaft comprising a ratchet wheel securedto the shaft, means cooperating with said wheel to turn the sameincluding a reciprocable member having a tooth engaging portion forengaging teeth on said wheel, means for moving said member into and outof operative engagement with said wheel including spring means connectedto the member and moving it toward the wheel and means to move saidmember against the pressure of said spring means away from said wheeland including a lever pivoted on a support spaced from said member, aroller carried by said lever and engageable with said member and meansto move said lever to cause the roller to push said member against thepressure of said spring away from said ratchet wheel comprising a linkconnected to said lever and a spring connected to a fixed support andurging said link to move said lever with said roller against saidmember, and means to overcome the effect of said last mentioned springand cause said first spring to move said member against said ratchetWheel, said means including a solenoid connected to said link andadapted on ener gization to pull said link against said second springpressure, and to move said roller out of engagement with said member.

3. In combination with a counter, a shaft for resetting the. counter,ratchet means for moving the shaft to reset the counter including aratchet wheel fixed to said shaft, an electric motor, a rod reciprocableby the motor shaft and having a ratchet Wheel engaging portion on theend thereof, means for moving said rod into and out of ratchet wheelengaging position including a first spring means for biasing the rodtoward and a second spring means for biasing the rod away from theratchet wheel, and electrically operated means for overcoming the biasof said second spring means to render said first spring means effectiveand said second spring means overcoming the first spring means uponrelease by said electrically operated means, a circuit for said motorand said electrically operated means for causing simultaneous operationthereof and including a starting switch for connecting said circuit to asource of power; a second switch in parallel with the first svn'tch andarranged to be closed after the motor starts and to open said circuitwhen the counters are reset;

4. In combination with a counter mechanism supported in a frame andhaving a shaft rotation of which causes resetting of the counter, meansfor automatically rotating said shaft a predetermined amount to resetsaid counters comprising a ratchet Wheel, an electric motor having aneccentric and a ratchet engaging rod journalled on said eccentric andadapted to be reciprocated thereby, said rod having a ratchet engagingend adapted for engagement with the teeth of said ratchet, spring meansconnected between said rod and the frame for moving said ratchetengaging end of the rod into engagement with the ratchet wheel teeth,means for holding said ratchet engaging end out of engagement with saidteeth against comprising a lever pivoted to the frame and having aroller for engagement with said rod, means to move said lever to causesaid roller to push against said rod, comprising a link connected to thelever, and a spring connected'between the link and the frame; and meansto pull said link against said last mentioned spring pressure to causesaid first spring to effect engagement of the ratchet engaging end andwheel comprising a solenoid connected to said link, circuit meansconnecting said motor and solenoid to a source of current, said motorand solenoid being controlled by the same circuit, and a first switchmeans for energizing said circuit and a second switch means forde-energizing said circuit, a cam carried by said counter shaft andoperatively connected to said second switch, means to open said circuitwhen the counter shaft reaches a predetermined position.

5. In combination with a counter having a shaft for resetting thesame,an apparatus for rotating said shaft including a ratchet wheel,means to turn the wheel including a, reciprocable member, means formoving said member into and out of operative engagement with said wheeland including a first spring means engaging the member and moving ittoward the wheel and a second spring means in engagement with the membercapable of overcoming the first spring means and moving the member awayfrom the Wheel and means for overcoming said second spring means saidmeans for overcoming said second spring means being releasable upon theshaft being returned to a predetermined position to allow the secondspring means to operate.

6. An apparatus for wheels in a counter mechanism having a shaft adaptedupon rotation to efiect said resetting comprising means to rotate theshaft including an electric motor, an eccentric carried by the motorshaft and a pitman journalled thereon, a ratchet wheel fixed to thecounter wheel shaft and a portion of said pitman adapted to engage saidratchet wheel, a first spring means pressing said pitman toward ratchetengaging position and a second spring means pressing said ratchet awayfrom ratchet engaging position, and means for overcoming the pressure ofthe second spring means to allow said first spring means to press theratchet wheel engaging portion into engagement with said wheel.

the pressure of said spring resetting the counter 7. apparatu'sforrotating a counter wheel resetting mechanism havinga rotatable resettingshaft comprising means for rotating said shaft including an electricmotor, a pitman operated by the motor and a ratchet wheel carried bysaid shaft and operated by the pitman, said pitman having a ratchetoperating member on its end, and spring means for holding and movingsaid member on the end of the pitman toward the ratchet and a secondspring means for holding said ratchet operating member away from saidratchet wheel and electrically controlled means arranged to be energizedupon energization of said motor to overcome said second spring means,said pitman being forced into engagement with the ratchet by said firstspring when the effect of the second spring is overcome.

3. In combination with a counter mechanism supported in a frame andhaving a shaft and counters connected thereto, rotation of which causesresetting of thec'ounters, meansfor automatically rotating said shaft apredetermined amount to reset said counters comprising a ratchet wheel,an electric motor and a ratchet-engaging member driven thereby, saidratchet-engaging member adapted for engagement with the teeth of saidratchet wheel, spring means connected to said member for moving saidmember into engagement with the ratchet wheel teeth, means for normallyholding said member out of engagement with said teeth operating againstthe pressure of said first mentioned spring comprising a lever and meanscarried thereby for engagement with said member, means" to move saidlever to overcome the effect of said spring comprising a spring pressedlink, means to pull said link against said last mentioned springpressure to allow said first spring .to effect engagement of the memberand Wheel comprising a solenoid having a movable armature connected tosaid link, common circuit means connecting said motor and solenoid to asource of current, and a first switch means for energizing said cir-'cuit and a second switch means for deenergizing said circuit, a camcarried by said counter shaft and operatively connected to said secondswitch, said cam adapted to open said second switch and said circuitwhen the counter shaftreaches a predetermined position. V

' MAX L. JEFFREY. REFERENCES CITED The following references are ofrecord in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 819,287 Klaus May 1, 19061,307,369 Messiter June 24, 1919 1,566,628 Stosick Dec. 22, 19251,858,397 Friden May 17, 1932 1,866,523 Alexander July 12, 19322,035,891 Jeffrey Mar. 31, 1936 2,040,031 Spaunburg May 5, 19362,094,777 Ellinger -1 Oct. 5, 1937 2,303,479 Lesnick Dec. 1, 19422,368,874 Poole Feb. 6, 1945

